Energy Storage in an Elastic Vessel

ABSTRACT

In one aspect of the present invention, an energy storage system has an elastic hydraulic fluid vessel with an internal variable volume and being coupled to a hydraulic rotary mechanism. The elastic hydraulic fluid vessel has an elastic material adapted to store a potential energy within its fibers when the internal volume is increased by a hydraulic fluid. The hydraulic rotary mechanism is adapted to be accelerated by the release of the potential energy of the fibers of the elastic vessel by ejecting the hydraulic fluid from the internal variable volume into the rotary mechanism.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 11/772,334 which was filed on Jul. 2, 2007 and entitled EnergyStorage. This application is inhere incorporated by reference for allthat is discloses.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Modern hybrid vehicles may use either various forms of energy inaddition to combustion engines for additional power and energy storage.The most well know hybrid cars are electronic hybrids that incorporatebatteries which store electrical energy. Energy wasted during brakingmay be converted into electrical power and stored in these batteries,which then may be used to when the hybrid car is accelerating. Suchhybrids are commercially available and generally get better gas mileagethan cars of generally the same weight and horsepower.

Also known in the patent art are hydraulic hybrids which operate on asimilar concept to the electrical hybrids. An example of a hydraulichybrid is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,098,083 to Carman, which isherein incorporated by reference for all that it contains. The patentdiscloses a hydraulic multi-speed, multi-torque transmission system forvehicles for storing and converting energy resulting from braking of thevehicle, such transmission utilizing multiple fixed displacementhydraulic pump-motors coupled to the vehicle wheels and a fixeddisplacement pump driven by the engine. Carman discloses that theaccumulators are used to store hydraulic energy. These accumulators usecompressible gas to store the potential energy of the hydraulic systemand to force to the hydraulic fluid into pump-motors.

Another type of hybrid described in the patent art is disclosed in U.S.Pat. No. 4,479,356 to Gill, which is herein incorporated by referencefor all that it contains. It discloses an energy recovery system for amachine, and particularly an automotive vehicle, which includes anenergy storage device which selectively receives energy from the primemover for storage via a predetermined path and delivers stored energy tothe prime mover load via the same path. In the preferred embodiment theenergy storage device is an elastomeric tube which is disposed forrotational movement about a shaft and secured at the ends to respectiveend members. Braking units permit selective braking and releasing of theend members relative to fixed supports. A set of planet gears arecontrolled by the brake actuation to drive a sun gear to be driven by aring gear to effect energy inflow and outflow, respectively, from theelastomeric tube. The storage device is permitted to store energy orrelease its stored energy as a function of vehicle control andoperational parameters.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, an energy storage system has anelastic hydraulic fluid vessel with an internal variable volume andbeing coupled to a hydraulic rotary mechanism. The elastic hydraulicfluid vessel has an elastic material adapted to store a potential energywithin its fibers when the internal volume is increased by a hydraulicfluid. The hydraulic rotary mechanism is adapted to be accelerated bythe release of the potential energy of the fibers of the elastic vesselby ejecting the hydraulic fluid from the internal variable volume intothe rotary mechanism.

In some embodiments, the hydraulic rotary mechanism inflates the elasticfluid vessel. The vessel may be bladder, a hose, or a combinationthereof. The elastic material may a composite material, Kevlar,polyurethane, polyethylene, Twaron, aramid fiber, nylon, rubber, carbon,synthetic polymers, chloroprene, or a combination thereof. The elasticmaterial may be a woven fiber or the material may comprise a pluralityof strips. In some embodiments, the elastic vessel is inflatable to over1,000 psi; in other embodiments, the vessel is inflatable to over 5,000psi.

An actuator may be adapted to increase the pressure within the vessel,such as an expandable element positioned within the vessel. In someembodiments, a rigid element may be disposed within the elastic vessel.The rigid element may comprise a low pressure hydraulic volume.

The rotary mechanism may comprise a hydraulic motor. The hydraulic motormay comprise a cam shaft, turbine, lobed rotor, or a combinationthereof. The rotary mechanism may comprise a pump, such as a variabledisplacement pump. The present invention may incorporatenon-compressible hydraulic fluid, compressible hydraulic fluid, or acombination thereof

In another aspect of the present invention, an energy storage system fora translatable vehicle has an elastic fluid vessel coupled to thetranslatable vehicle. The elastic vessel has stored potential energy ina form of pressurized fluid expanding a volume of the elastic vessel.The vessel is in fluid communication with a rotary mechanism adapted torotate at least one translation assembly of the vehicle, wherein whenthe pressurized fluid is released from the vessel by ejecting thepressurized fluid into the rotary mechanism, the potential energy isconverted into kinetic energy and adapted to rotate a portion of thetranslation assembly.

The translatable vehicle may be a car, truck, bicycle, motorcycle,3-wheeler, 4-wheeler, golf cart, backhoe, bulldozer, constructionmachinery or a combination thereof. The elastic vessel may be a hose, abladder or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the hose may beincorporated into a rigid frame of the vehicle. In some embodiments, arigid element may be disposed within the elastic vessel. In someembodiments, the vessel may be at least part of a frame of the vehicle.The elastic vessel may be made of a composite material, Kevlar,polyurethane, polyethylene, Twaron, aramid fiber, nylon, rubber, or acombination thereof.

The vehicle may comprise a pump adapted to pressurize the elasticvessel. The translation assembly may be adapted to pump fluid into thevessel. Each translation assembly may be associated with an independentmechanical transmission. The rotary mechanism may comprise a hydraulicmotor. The rotary mechanism may comprise a pump. The pump may be avariable displacement pump. The rotary mechanism may comprise amechanical transmission.

In another aspect of the present invention, a method for propelling atranslatable vehicle comprises providing an elastic fluid vessel coupledto the translatable vehicle, the elastic vessel comprising storedpotential energy in a form of pressurized fluid expanding a volume ofthe elastic vessel; the vessel also being in fluid communication with arotary mechanism adapted to control a rotational speed of a portion ofat least one translation assembly of the vehicle; and rotating theportion of the at least one translation assembly by ejecting pressurizedfluid into the rotary mechanism from the elastic fluid vessel.

The method may further include the step of automatically roll-startingan engine of the vehicle while the portion of the at least onetranslation assembly is rotating. The method may further include thestep of automatically turning off the engine while the rotational speedof the portion of the translation assembly decelerates. The pressurizedfluid may be used to cool the engine. The elastic vessel may bere-pressurized during braking.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded diagram of an embodiment of a translatable vehiclecomprising an energy storage system.

FIG. 2 is a sectional diagram of an embodiment of a corner manifold of acar frame.

FIG. 3 is an orthogonal diagram of an embodiment of a variabledisplacement pump.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional diagram of another embodiment of a variabledisplacement pump.

FIG. 4 a is another cross-sectional diagram of the embodiment of FIG. 4.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional diagram of another embodiment of a variabledisplacement pump.

FIG. 5 a is another cross-sectional diagram of the embodiment of FIG. 5.

FIG. 6 is a perspective diagram of an embodiment of a swashplate.

FIG. 7 is an orthogonal diagram of an embodiment of a car frame.

FIG. 8 is a hydraulic circuit diagram of an embodiment of an energystorage system.

FIG. 9 is a hydraulic circuit diagram of another embodiment of an energystorage system.

FIG. 10 is a hydraulic circuit diagram of another embodiment of anenergy storage system.

FIG. 11 is a hydraulic circuit diagram of another embodiment of anenergy storage system.

FIG. 12 is a perspective diagram of another embodiment of a car frame.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional diagram of another embodiment of a carframe.

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional diagram of an embodiment of a hoseconnection with a corner manifold.

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional diagram of another embodiment of a hoseconnection with a corner manifold.

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional diagram of another embodiment of a hoseconnection with a corner manifold.

FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional diagram of another embodiment of a hoseconnection with a corner manifold.

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional diagram of an embodiment of a rotarymechanism.

FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional diagram of another embodiment of a rotarymechanism.

FIG. 20 is a perspective diagram of another embodiment of an energystorage system.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart diagram of a method for use in propelling atranslatable vehicle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION AND THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to the exploded diagram in FIG. 1, a translatable vehicle 100comprises an energy storage system adapted to store hydraulic energy tobe used in propelling the vehicle 100. Unlike typical bladderaccumulators of the prior art which rely on a compressible gas to storepotential energy, the potential energy of the present invention isstored in the elastic material making up at least a portion of anelastic vessel 101 coupled to the vehicle 100. Hydraulic fluid stored inthe elastic vessel may be a compressible fluid, an incompressible fluidor a combination thereof. In some embodiments, an compressible fluid mayalso storage some of the potential energy. In some embodiments, thecompressible fluid may store at least 10 percent of the stored energy;in other embodiments, the compressible fluid stores at least 25 percentof the stored energy. In the current embodiment, the elastic vessel 101is a plurality of hoses making up at least a part of the vehicle frame103. The vessel 101 may comprise a strong, flexible material, capable ofwithstanding high amounts of pressure. In some embodiments, the pressuremay be between 1,000 psi to 50,000 psi; in other embodiments, thepressure is between 10,000 to 20,000 psi. The material may be acomposite material, Kevlar, polyurethane, polyethylene, Twaron, aramidfiber, nylon, rubber, carbon, synthetic polymers, chloroprene,elastomers, polyester, carbon fiber, glass fiber, or a combinationthereof. The material may be a woven fiber, a plurality of strips, or acombination thereof. At high pressure, the elastic vessel 101 may alsostiffen the frame 103.

The vehicle 100 may comprise an engine 104 connected to the frame 103.The engine 104 may be a small, efficient engine to reduce size andweight, thus saving gas per mile. The vehicle 100 may also comprise acab 105 attached to the frame 103. Translation assemblies 106 such aswheels may be connected to the frame 103.

The elastic vessel 101 is adapted to receive hydraulic fluid and storesenergy in the form of potential energy. The potential energy is storedin the material of the elastic vessel 101 as its volume expands due toreceiving hydraulic fluid. The potential energy stored in the vessel 101may be converted into kinetic energy by ejecting the fluid from thevessel 101 into a rotary mechanism, which may then apply torque to atleast a portion of the translation assembly 106.

Each translation assembly 106 may be connected to a manifold 200 at eachcorner of the vehicle, as in the embodiment of FIG. 2. The translationassembly 106 may be connected to the manifold 200 by a plurality oflower arms 201 and an upper arm 202 rotatably connected to hinges 203 onthe manifold 200. The manifold 200 may comprise a strut 204 rotatablyconnected to the upper arm 202 and affixed to a mount 205 on themanifold 200 (though the strut and mount are shown elevated so that thecross-section of the manifold may be seen). The strut 204 may allow forthe frame 103 to provide impact shock absorption to the vehicle 100 onuneven surfaces. The corner manifold 200 may comprise a rotary mechanism206 such as a pump or a motor such that hydraulic fluid may be used toapply a rotational torque to the translation assembly 106 or a portionof the translation assembly 106. A joint 207 such as a CV joint may jointhe translation assembly 106 to a shaft 208 attached to the rotarymechanism 206 such that the energy storage system may be able totransmit rotational power to the translation assembly 106 at variousangles, which may be especially useful on uneven surfaces.

A rigid element 209 may be disposed within the elastic vessel 101. Therigid element 209 may be a fluid conduit wherein a low pressurehydraulic fluid may be allowed to circulate through the rigid element209 while a high pressure hydraulic fluid may be allowed to circulatethrough the elastic vessel 101 at the same time. The high and lowpressure fluids may be used to control the rotation of the translationassembly 106. The vessels 101 may be in fluid communication with eachother through a fluid passageway 210 formed in the manifold 200.

Referring also to FIGS. 3 through 6, the rotary mechanism 206 may be avariable displacement pump such that the amount of torque applied torotate the translation assembly 106 may be varied. One such rotarymechanism which may be used is a variable displacement motor, partnumber A6VM28, from Bosch-Rexroth Corp., located at 13766 Alton ParkwaySuite 147, Irvine, Calif. 92618. In other embodiments, the rotarymechanism may be a pump, motor, or combination thereof adapted toconvert hydraulic energy into rotational energy to be applied to thetranslation assembly 106. The rotary mechanism 206 may comprise aswashplate 300 (shown in more detail in FIG. 5) intermediate a pistonbarrel 301 and a cylindrical component 302 comprising a plurality ofannular channels 303, 304, 305, 306, which may extend into thecylindrical component 302, adapted to direct the flow of high and lowpressure fluids. Each channel may be sealed off from the others byo-rings 310 intermediate the channels 303, 304, 305, 306. The pistonbarrel 301 comprises a plurality of pistons 307, preferably an oddnumber, disposed within the piston barrel 301, with ends 309 of thepistons 307 at least partially disposed within a face 308 of the shaft208.

The swashplate 300 may be controlled by high and low pressure fluidsfrom first and second annular channels 303, 304 connected by a channel400 that substantially runs vertically proximate the swashplate,depending on the direction of flow of high pressure fluid against aprotruding member 401 within a central bore 402 in the swashplate 300.The rotary mechanism 206 may be designed such that varying the positionof the swashplate 300 up or down against the cylindrical component 302also changes the angle of the piston barrel 301. High pressure in thefirst channel 303 from below the protruding member 401, with lowpressure in the second channel 304 from above the protruding member 401,may cause the swashplate to be moved to an up position as in theembodiment of FIG. 4.

The cylindrical component 302 may also comprise third and fourth annularchannels 305, 306, as in the embodiment of FIG. 4 a. The third channel305 may comprise a high pressure hydraulic fluid, and the fourth channel306 may comprise a low pressure hydraulic fluid. The fluid from eachchannel 305, 306 may be exposed to a face 403 of the piston barrel 301through slots 404 in the swashplate 300. When the swashplate 300 is in aposition other than neutral, the high pressure fluid may cause some ofthe pistons 307 to extend from the piston barrel 301, the piston ends309 maintaining contact with recesses 405 in the shaft face 308. Thehigh pressure fluid may also cause the piston barrel 301 to rotate. Theshaft 208 may rotate accordingly with the piston barrel 301 and causesthe translation assembly 106 to rotate. The recesses 405 in the shaftface 308 may comprise bearing surfaces to reduce friction due to contactwith the piston ends 309. The amount of torque applied to the rotationof the translation assembly 106 may be increased or decreased by movingthe swashplate 300 farther from or closer to a neutral position on thecylindrical component 302. A higher amount of torque may be desirablefor propelling the vehicle 100 from a stopped position, while a loweramount of torque may be desirable while the vehicle 100 is already inmotion. The vehicle 100 may be allowed to coast when the swashplate 300is in the neutral position. The first channel 303 may or may not beisolated from the third channel 305, and the second channel 304 may ormay not be isolated from the fourth channel 306. The amount of fluidthrough each channel may be controlled by a plurality of valves, whichmay be attached to the manifold 200.

When the swashplate 300 and piston barrel 301 are in the up position andthe energy storage system is propelling the vehicle 100, fluid may beexchanged from the high pressure channel 305 to the low pressure channel306. The energy storage system may be used to start an engine 104 at amoment before the hydraulic fluid in the high pressure channel 305 isdepleted or drops below a predetermined pressure. The engine 104 may beused to propel the vehicle 100 or repressurize the high pressure channel305. The high pressure channel 305 may also be repressurized throughregenerative braking. When the brakes are applied, the swashplate 300may move toward a down position against the cylindrical component 302,as in the embodiment of FIG. 5. Due to the momentum of the vehicle 100already in motion, the shaft 208 and piston barrel 301 may already berotating in one direction, while the high pressure fluid may oppose themotion of the shaft 208 and barrel 301, slowing their rotation. Duringthe braking process, fluid may also be transferred from the low pressurechannel 306 to the high pressure channel 305, thereby repressurizing thehigh pressure channel 305 at least in part, as in the embodiment of FIG.5 a. The vehicle 100 may comprise electronics such as logic and sensorsto accurately control the swashplate and to monitor the hydraulicpressure in the energy storage system.

The swashplate 300, seen in greater detail in the embodiment of FIG. 6,may comprise bearing surfaces 600 such that friction and/or wear may bereduced while the piston barrel 301 rotates or when the swashplate 300slides against the cylindrical component 302.

Each translation assembly may be associated with an independentmechanical transmission which may allow for translation assemblies 106to be propelled at different rates which causes the vehicle to turn, asin the embodiment of FIG. 7. This system may also be used to turn thevehicle 100 at a very high rate or to rotate the vehicle about a centralpoint 700 by reversing the translation assemblies 106 on one side of thevehicle 100 while the other translation assemblies 106 move forward. Inembodiments where the independent mechanical transmission is a rotarymechanism 206, the direction and speed of each translation assembly 106may be controlled by the position of the swashplate.

FIGS. 8 through 11 disclose embodiments of hydraulic schematics of theenergy storage system. The elastic vessel 101 may be in hydrauliccommunication with a plurality of rotary mechanisms 206. The energystorage system may propel the vehicle forward using the rotarymechanisms 206 at each translation assembly 106, as in the schematic 800of FIG. 8, especially for propelling the vehicle 100 from rest. A lowpressure fluid source 804 may also be in hydraulic communication withthe rotary mechanisms 206. Extra fluid may be stored in either theelastic vessel 101 or the low pressure fluid source 804.

The energy storage system may comprise an engine pump 900 adapted tostart an engine 104 after the vehicle is already in motion, as in theschematic 901 of FIG. 9. Once the vehicle 100 reaches a predeterminedvelocity or the elastic vessel 101 gets below a predetermined pressure,the engine pump 900 may begin to draw fluid from the elastic vessel 101to start the engine 104. Once started, the engine 104 may be used torepressurize the elastic vessel 101 such that the system may continue topropel the vehicle 100.

Now referring to FIG. 10, the energy storage system may be used to powerthe vehicle 100 in reverse. The swashplate 300 in each rotary mechanism206 may be positioned to reverse and the vehicle 100 may be propelled inreverse.

The schematic 1100 of FIG. 11 discloses regenerative braking. When thevehicle 100 is moving in a forward motion and brakes are applied, theswashplate 300 in each rotary mechanism 206 may move below the neutralposition such that high pressure fluid from the elastic vessel 101opposes the rotation of the piston barrel 301. Due to the forwardrotation of the barrel 301, at least some fluid is exchanged from thelow pressure fluid source 804 to the elastic vessel 101. This may allowfor the elastic vessel 101 to recover at least a portion of the pressuretransferred from the vessel 101 to the low pressure fluid source 804resulting from propelling the vehicle 100 forward. Likewise, the sameprinciple may apply when braking while the vehicle 100 is moving inreverse.

Referring to the embodiment of FIG. 12, the energy storage system maycomprise a plurality of hoses 1300 running generally parallel to oneanother to form the frame 103 of the vehicle. The plurality of hoses1300 may be spaced apart to allow for efficient cooling of the hydraulicfluid in the hoses 1300.

Referring to FIG. 13, the elastic vessel 101 or vessels may be disposedwithin a rigid frame 1400 of the vehicle. In some embodiments, the frameis made of a hard material such as steel. The rigid frame 1400 mayprovide structural strength to the vehicle 100. A coolant may bedisposed within the rigid frame and surrounding the elastic vessel 101for maintaining the energy storage system at low operating temperatures.In some embodiments, the rigid frame limits the amount that the hosesmay expand, thereby limiting their fatigue.

The elastic vessel 101 may be connected to the manifolds 200 in such away as to prevent leaking. Several different embodiments are shown inFIGS. 14 through 17. Each vessel 101 may be connected to the manifold200 by a threaded connection, as in the embodiment of FIG. 14. Athreaded metal ring 1501 may be disposed around an end 1502 of thevessel 101 and a second metal ring 1503 may be inserted in an innerdiameter 1504 of the vessel 101 such that when the threaded metal ring1501 is connected to a threaded portion 1505 of the manifold 200, thetwo metal rings 1501, 1503 may grip the vessel end 1502 and create asealed connection. The metal rings 1501, 1503 may comprise a taperedthickness 1506. This may reduce pinching on the vessel 101, particularlywhen the vessel 101 is radially stretched. The vessel 101 may comprisemetal strips or pins 1600 disposed within the end 1502, which mayimprove the material integrity of the vessel 101 proximate theconnection, as in the embodiment of FIG. 15. The vessel end 1502 may beclamped onto the manifold 200 by a band 1700, as in the embodiment ofFIG. 16. The manifold 200 may comprise a radial depression 1701 at theconnection, which may prevent the band 1700 from sliding. The band 1700may be a metal heat shrink band. The vessel 101 may be connected to themanifold 200 with a plurality of fasteners 1800 such as bolts, as in theembodiment of FIG. 17. A metal ring 1801 may be disposed around theouter diameter 1802 of the vessel end 1502, which may provide additionalsupport to the vessel 101 where the fasteners 1800 are positioned. Insome embodiments, the elastic modulus of the elastic vessel may varydepending on the location of the vessel. For example, it may bedesirable for the elastic vessel to be more rigid proximate theconnection to the manifolds than in the center of the vessel to reducestress risers that may occur at the transitions between flexible andrigid components. The elastic modulus of the vessel may be controlled byhow the fibers are woven or joined in the elastic material.

The energy storage system may be used to rotate the translationassemblies 106 by turning an axle 1900, as in the embodiment of FIG. 18.The axle 1900 may be disposed within a chamber 1901 and may comprise arotary mechanism such as a plurality of radially positioned blades 1902such that as a hydraulic fluid enters the chamber 1901 from a firstconnecting fluid pathway 1903 and exerts a force on the blades 1902, thefins 1902 may rotate the axle 1900, propelling the vehicle 100 forward.The fluid may then exit through a second connecting fluid pathway 1904.The fluid may also enter the chamber 1901 from the second pathway 1904and exit through the first pathway 1903, causing the axle 1900 to rotatethe opposite direction and propel the vehicle 100 in reverse. Referringto FIG. 19, the rotary mechanism may comprise a turbine 2000 which isconnected to the translational element by an axel. As the turbine 2000is rotated, its torque is transmitted through the axel to thetranslational element, thereby propelling the vehicle.

Now referring to the embodiment of FIG. 20, the energy storage systemmay be incorporated into a vehicle 100 comprising a conventionalgas-powered engine 104 and frame 103. The energy storage system maycomprise a combination of a bladder and hoses. A portion 2101 of thevessel 101, may be positioned proximate the engine 104 for cooling theengine 104. This embodiment may also be useful to aiding the vehicle inaccelerating, when more energy is required such as when the vehicle togoing up hill, or both

FIG. 21 discloses a method 2300 for propelling a translatable vehiclecomprising providing 2305 an elastic fluid vessel coupled to thetranslatable vehicle, the elastic vessel comprising stored potentialenergy in a form of pressurized fluid expanding a volume of the elasticvessel; the vessel also being in fluid communication with a rotarymechanism adapted to control a rotational speed of a portion of at leastone translation assembly of the vehicle; and rotating 2310 the portionof the at least one translation assembly by ejecting pressurized fluidinto the rotary mechanism from the elastic fluid vessel. The method mayfurther include the step of automatically roll-starting an engine of thevehicle while the portion of the at least one translation assembly isrotating. The method may also comprise the step of automatically turningoff the engine while the rotational speed of the portion of thetranslation assembly decelerates.

Whereas the present invention has been described in particular relationto the drawings attached hereto, it should be understood that other andfurther modifications apart from those shown or suggested herein, may bemade within the scope and spirit of the present invention.

1. An energy storage system, comprising: an elastic hydraulic fluidvessel comprising an internal variable volume and being coupled to ahydraulic rotary mechanism; and the elastic hydraulic fluid vesselcomprising an elastic material adapted to store a potential energywithin its fibers when the internal volume is increased by a hydraulicfluid; wherein the hydraulic rotary mechanism is adapted to beaccelerated by the release of the potential energy stored within theelastic material of the vessel by ejecting the hydraulic fluid from theinternal variable volume into the rotary mechanism.
 2. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the hydraulic rotary mechanism inflates the elasticfluid vessel.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the vessel is a hose. 4.The system of claim 1, wherein the elastic material is a compositematerial, Kevlar, polyurethane, polyethylene, Twaron, aramid fiber,nylon, rubber, carbon, synthetic polymers, chloroprene, elastomers,polyester, carbon fiber, glass fiber or a combination thereof.
 5. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the elastic material is a woven fiber.
 6. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the elastic material comprises strips.
 7. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the elastic vessel is inflatable to over1,000 psi.
 8. The system of claim 1, wherein the elastic vessel isinflatable to over 5,000 psi.
 9. The system of claim 1, wherein anactuator is adapted to increase the pressure within the vessel.
 10. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein a rigid element is disposed within theelastic vessel.
 11. The system of claim 1, wherein the vessel is abladder.
 12. The system of claim 1, wherein the rotary mechanismcomprises a hydraulic motor.
 13. The system of claim 1, wherein hehydraulic motor comprises a cam shaft, turbine, lobed rotor, or acombination thereof.
 14. The system of claim 1, wherein the rotarymechanism comprises a pump.
 15. The system of claim 14, wherein the pumpis a variable displacement pump.
 16. The system of claim 1, wherein thehydraulic fluid is non-compressible.
 17. The system of claim 1, whereinthe hydraulic fluid is compressible.
 18. An energy storage system for atranslatable vehicle, comprising: an elastic fluid vessel coupled to thetranslatable vehicle; the elastic vessel comprising stored potentialenergy in a form of pressurized fluid expanding a volume of the elasticvessel; the vessel also being in fluid communication with a rotarymechanism adapted to rotate at least a portion of a translation assemblyof the vehicle; wherein when the pressurized fluid is released from thevessel by ejecting the pressurized fluid into the rotary mechanism, thepotential energy is converted into kinetic energy and adapted to rotatethe portion of the translation assembly.
 19. The system of claim 18,wherein the translatable vehicle is a car, truck, bicycle, motorcycle,3-wheeler, 4-wheeler, golf cart, backhoe, bulldozer, garbage truck,delivery truck, semi-truck, or a combination thereof.
 20. The system ofclaim 18, wherein the elastic fluid vessel is incorporated into a rigidframe of the vehicle.
 21. The system of claim 18, wherein the vesselforms at least part of a frame of the vehicle.
 22. The system of claim18, wherein the rotary mechanism comprises a mechanical transmission.23. The system of claim 18, wherein the vehicle comprises a pump adaptedto pressurize the elastic vessel.
 24. The system of claim 18, whereinthe rotary mechanism is adapted to pump fluid into the vessel.
 25. Thesystem of claim 18, wherein each rotary mechanism is associated with anindependent mechanical transmission.
 26. A method for propelling atranslatable vehicle, comprising: providing an elastic fluid vesselcoupled to the translatable vehicle, the elastic vessel comprisingstored potential energy in the fibers of an elastic material making upthe vessel when an internal variable volume of the of the elastic vesselis expanded; the vessel also being in fluid communication with a rotarymechanism adapted to control a rotational speed of a portion of at leastone translation assembly of the vehicle; and rotating the portion of theat least one translation assembly by ejecting pressurized fluid into therotary mechanism from the elastic fluid vessel.
 27. The method of claim26, wherein the method further includes the step of automaticallyroll-starting an engine of the vehicle while the portion of the at leastone translation assembly is rotating.
 28. The method of claim 26,wherein the method further includes the step of automatically turningoff the engine while the rotational speed of the portion of thetranslation assembly decelerates.
 29. The method of claim 26, whereinthe pressurized fluid is used to cool an engine.
 30. The method of claim26, wherein the elastic vessel is re-pressurized during braking.